Alaska gives Jr NBA a lift

MANILA, Philippines - Citing Alaska’s sound youth and sports development program, the Jr. NBA has linked up with the country’s leading milk brand for the staging of the fifth Jr. NBA which got under way yesterday with the coaches’ clinic.

Ed Winkle, senior director for basketball development of NBA Asia-Pacific, said with Alaska Milk as its new partner, the NBA’s youth development program is expected to boost the promotion of the sport not just among children but also young, aspiring coaches.

“Alaska’s dedication to sport development and youth health programs makes it the perfect presenting partner for Jr. NBA,” said Winkle in yesterday’s press briefing coinciding with the launching of the coaches clinic at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.

“Its commitment and the support of all our partners has allowed us to further expand Jr. NBA to include more children, coaches and parents than ever before,” he said.

Alaska Milk Corp. president and CEO Wilfred Steven Uytengsu Jr. said he was just too glad to help in the Jr. NBA program.

“Since Alaska Milk has been in the sport for 25 years now, it’s just apt for us to expand our involvement even more since part of our thrust is helping develop basketball from the grassroots,” said Uytengsu.